Motivations for conservation: Participation in community-based snow leopard (Uncia uncia) conservation in Ladakh, India.
Date
2013-04-25
Author
Advisor
Shapiro, Dr. Elizabeth
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Abstract
Community-based conservation takes a “local-level, voluntary, people-centered, participatory,
decentralized, [and] village-based” approach to conservation (Little 1994). Similarly
to many collective action situations, the success of community-based conservation
programs depends on the voluntary participation of individuals. However, in such situations,
individuals may be unlikely to engage in group interests unless offered incentives
or benefits. Using a household survey, I assessed incentives and benefits experienced
by participants in community conservation initiatives with The Snow Leopard Conservancy
– India Trust in two valleys in Ladakh, India. Using a comparative case study research
design, participants responded to qualitative and quantitative questions that explored
original incentives for participation in SLC-IT programs and subsequent benefits experienced.
Additionally, questions asked about perceptions and attitudes toward wildlife species
were asked to gage any shifts toward positive conservation attitudes. Findings from
52 household surveys showed, material incentives in the form of direct income or assets
were highly experienced motivations for participation. However, when respondents were
asked about benefits experienced as a result of participation, material benefits were
less frequently mentioned. Social and psychological incentives and benefits cited
by respondents included moral and religious beliefs, village development, knowledge
of wildlife, exposure to foreign cultures, and increased cleanliness. These findings
showed differences in incentives and benefits received by participants in each valley,
which necessitates different approaches to conservation for each area. By exploring
motivations for participation in community-based programs, inferences from these two
valleys on how to increase engagement may provide insight for conservation practitioners
implementing programs in similar settings.
Type
Master's projectPermalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/6818Citation
Huyett, Alison M. (2013). Motivations for conservation: Participation in community-based snow leopard (Uncia
uncia) conservation in Ladakh, India. Master's project, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/6818.Collections
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